Clasping means for frictionally holding articles in suspension



W. J. RYSICK Sept. 27, 1949.

CLASPING MEANS FOR FRIGTIONALLY HOLDING ARTICLES IN SUSPENSION 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1946 ATTORNEY VINVENTOR.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. J. RYSICK CLASPING MEANS FOR FRICTIONALLY HOLDING ARTICLES IN SUSPENSION Sept. 27, 1949.

Filed Nov. 27, 1946 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1949 OFFICE 2,483,303 CLASPIN G MEANS FOR FRICTIONALLY HOLDING ARTICLES IN SUSPENSION Walter J .Rysick, Fort Wayne, Ind. Application November 27, 1946, Serial No. 712,484 v6 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) My invention relates to clasping devices adapted for frictionally engaging and retaining various articles and has among its objects to provide a novel clasping device for compactl frictionally holding in suspended position one, or two or more articles in adjacent positions but permitting selective release of any one of the articles from the device without releasing the other articles held in suspended position thereby.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a clasping device which is spring-actuated and adapted to successively receive and frictionally retain for suspension thereby two articles and either of which articles may selec tively be removed from the device Without releasing the frictional retainment of the other article while both of the articles are frictionally retained through pressure applied by a single spring.

Another feature of my invention is found in the adaptability of my improved clasping device for individual use or for multiple mounting on a common supporting hanger whereby one or more articles may be frictionally engaged by one or more of the clasping devices for retainment thereby in suspended position from the hanger; each device permitting the selective Withdrawal therefrom of any selected one of the articles without releasing an other article or articles from their frictional engagement by the devices.

Still another object of my invention is found in the provision of a clasping device comprising three operatively associated adjacently disposed article-clasping members coaXially pivotally mounted on a common pivot member; the clasping members having preferably plane-aligned article-clasping ends and being provided with a single spring disposed within an opening in the intermediate or central one of said clasping members having article-gripping faces on its sides opposed to the gripping faces of the outer two of the clasping members; the clasping ends of the outer two of the clasping members being urged by the single spring toward one another and toward the opposite article-gripping faces of the intermediate one of said members and, to facilitate the successive spreading apart of the article-clasping end of first, one of theoutermembers and that of the intermediate member and, thereafter, the clasping end of the other one of the outer members and that of the intermediate member, the outer members are provided with arm-like extensions disposed slightly angularly outwardly relatively to each other and the intermediate one of the members being extend d member having an article-gripping jaw pivotally mounted thereon; the pivoted jaws having article-gripping faces adapted for plane-alignment with the opposite article-gripping faces of the intermediate one of the clasping members irrespectively of the angular positions of the outer clasping members relatively to the intermediate clasping member.

The various features of novelty whereby the present invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the appended claims; but for a full understanding of the invention and its various objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an article-clasping device embodying my invention as viewed from line ll of Fig. 2, the pivot member for the clasping members being shown in crosssection;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a face view clasping members;

Fig. 5 is an edge view of the central one of the clasping members;

Fig. 6 illustrates the mounting of a plurality of spaced pairs of the improved clasping devices on a common hanger;

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the manner of successively frictionally engaging a pair of articles by a single clasping device embodying my invention and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive;

Fig. 9 illustrates a side view of a modification of my invention as adapted to a necktie or other article hanger device having a single intermediate member cooperating with a plurality of outer clasping members disposed on opposite sides of the intermediate member;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the hanger device shown in Fig. 9;

of the central one of the 3 Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line I l-! l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the intermediate member shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11;

Fig. 13 is an end view of the member;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of a hanger device of the form shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive but showing one (or two) pair of clasping members in relatively laterally spaced positions for adapting the device for suspending therefrom one or two pair of mens trousers; and

Fig. 15 shows a side view of one of the snap rings employed in retaining theouter clasping members in the desired positions on the supporting rod.

My improved clasping device is adapted for many uses and purposes where various articles are desired to be removably held in suspension such as, for example, necktie racks, hangers for pairs of mens trousers, and. hangers for photographic films and prints during drying. The devices are also adaptable for holding various articles in suspension within chemical baths or solutions during treatment by various chemical processes as the clasping members may be made from various materials such as metal, wood or plastics.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings, the improved device consists of two similar outer clasping members, generally designated by numerals [B and HE and an intermediate or centrally disposed clasping member designated by numeral 12 all made of any suitable material and the outer members preferably being channel-shaped in cross-section to increase their rigidity, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3'.

Each of the outer clasping members [6 and [0 is. preferably formed with a flat side wall 93 having ri'ght-angularly bent flanges M which are formed,v intermediate their lengths, with integral parallelly aligned ears l5 and I5 perforated' with circular openings It through which extends the pivotal member such as the rod I"! of circular cross-section as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, or the pivotal member such as the rivet IB- shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The rivet I8 is employed for complete individual clasps and where multiple clasps are mounted on. a common hanger l9, such as shown in Fig. 6, the single bar or rod H is employed.

The pair of ears I5 on the outer member IE5 may be slightly offset outwardly, as indicated at X in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, to permit same to overlap the: ears E5 of the outer member ID The upper end portion of each outerfclasping member is preferably bent angularly from, and outwardly beyond, the pivotal ears to facilitate spreading apart of the article-gripping jaws of the assembled device and the-lower end portions of the flanges it are preferably slightly widened, as' at 2-3, to increase the widths of the flanges for reception therethrough of a. pivotal pin or rivet M for pivotal support thereon of a U-shaped article-gripping. jaw 22; the jaw flanges-- 22* be:- ingperforated for the shank of the rivet 2! and being bent rightangularly relatively to the article-gripping face 22 which is preferably checkered or otherwise serrated. to increase its frictional gripa As, shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the intermediate or centrally disposed clasping member i2 consists of two vertically spaced plane-aligned sections. namely, an upper arm section 24 and a lower article-gripping section 25; the two secintermediate free pivotal movement about 4 tions being of flat material and held together in relatively spaced apart positions by suitably shaped side plates 26 disposed right-angularly to the flat sections and secured to the opposite side edges thereof in any suitable manner as by welding.

ihe side plates 26 being provided with laterally aligned openings 29 for passage therethrough of the pivot rod [1. (or rivet l8) whereby the intermediate; clasping member it is pivotaliy supported on such rod H (or rivet 58) as are the two outer clasping members W and M the maximum width of the intermediate member l2 in thecor-istructi'onshown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive being preferably less than the distance between the-inner faces of flanges i i.

In order to simplify the construction and re duce the cost of the clasping device by the use of a single pressure-exerting coil spring 28, the intermediate clasping member I2 is provided with the opening 21 between the spaced opposed ends of the upper section 2.4 and the lower section 25 in which the coil spring 23 wound about. the pivot rod H (or rivet i3) is disposed and so mounted that one end thereof is in' engagement with the inner face of one of the arm-like extensions 20 and the other end thereof in engagement with the inner face of the other of the arm-like extensions 28 whereby the pivotedijaws 2.2 are constantly yieldingly urged by the spring l8 toward each other and consequently toward the opposite faces of. the article-gripping section 25 of'the intermediate clasping member; the opposite face of the section 25 preferably being checkered or otherwise serrated at thegripping ends as at 25 The length of the intermediate clasping member l2 being greater than the length of either one of the two outer clasping members HP and H3 to provide for the outward projection of the upper end of the arm section 24 beyond the upper ends of the arm-like extensions 2b of the outer clasping members to thereby facilitate the alternate engagement thereof with first one and then the other of the outer clasping members by the fingers of the user for simultaneously oscillating the article-gripping lower end of one of the outer members together with the intermediate member apart and away from the article gripping lower end of the other of the outer members to permit insertion therebetween of an article to be clasped thereby and thereafter simultaneously oscillating the article-gripping lower end of the other of the outer members together with the intermediate member away from the first said one of the mem bers to thereby permit insertion therebetween of a second article for clasping engagement by the device.

Thesuccessive insertions of two articles, designated by numerals 38 and 31 for gripping engagem'ent by one of my improved clasping. devifces is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Obviously, either one of the articles 30 or 31 may be selectively quickly removed from the device without releasing the other article therefrom.

Fig. 6 illustrates a. hanger provided with two of the improved clasping devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2 mounted on the single rod I! and adapted to hold in suspension two pair of mens trousers; the rod I 1 being providedwith a suitable hook l9 whereby the hanger may be suspended from a supporting rod, as shown in Fig. 6.

To permit convenient individual use, each device may be provided with a hole 32 in the upper end of the intermediate member l2 whereby the device may be suspended from rigid bar, nail or thelike.

The modification of my invention shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive illustrates an adaptation of my invention to a novel article-suspending device such as, for example, a necktie rack and also shows certain novel features of construction which are adaptable to the devices illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive.

The article-suspending device shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive consists of a plurality of pairs of clasping members NB and HE mounted on a single rod 33 of preferably non-circular cross-section carried on a single unitary intermediate clasping member, generally designated by numeral 34, which cooperates with the clasping members I M at one side thereof and also with the clasping members I at the opposite side thereof.

The unitary intermediate clasping member 34 consists of a flat plate portion having a lateral opening 34 extending from opposite ends thereof and dividin same into an upper section 34 and a lower section 34 The upper and lower sections of the intermediate clasping member are formed with integral connecting portions, generally designated by numeral 34 which bridge the opening 34, integrally connect and stiffen the sections 34 and 34 and also function as end supports for the rod 33.

The connecting portions 34 are provided with laterally aligned openings 34 the vertical center lines of which pass midway between the opposite faces of the upper and lower plane-aligned plate, sections 34 and 34 and the horizontal center line of which openings 34 passes midway between the spaced edges of the upper and lower plate sections which define the lateral sides ofthe opening 34.

The configuration of the connecting portions 34 formed integrally with opposite ends of the member 34 may be of any suitable shape. The particular shape shown more clearly in Fig. 13 may be described as consisting of integral triangular portions 34 and 34 The connecting portions 34 being an integral part of the plate 34 are shaped during die-stamping operation and then are bent right-angularly to the plane of the upper and lower plate sections; the right-hand portions 34 being stamped from that portion of the plate which is removed to provide the lateral opening 34 and left-hand portions 34 being die-cut during the stamping operation from opposite side portions of the plate 34 and then bent right-angularly to'the plane of the plate 34 into plane alignment with the portions 34 the construction of the unitary finished plate member which constitutes the intermediate clasping member being more clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

The intermediate member 34 may be provided with means for rigidly securing the device as to the face 35 of a wall or other support by providing the upper and lower sections with integral right-angularly bent perforated ears 36 whereby the device may be secured to the face 35 of the support as by screws 31, or the clevicemay be suitable overhead support In the modifications shown in Figs. 9 to 15 inclusive, I have preferably shown the rod 33 of non-circular cross-section and have accordingly provided the openings 34 in the connecting portions 34 of correspondin configuration so' that the rod 33 is not rotatably movable relatively to the intermediate'clasping' member 34 and vice versa. The use of this construction in the clasping devices shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive will permit and insure retainment of the intermediate clasping member l2 in vertical position while the clasping members 10 and ll) are moved relatively thereto in theirjpivotal movements about the rod I! or rivet I8 as the ears I5 and I5 have circular openings I6.

'33 between a snap ring 43 on one A rod 33 of any suitable non-circular crosssection with corresponding openings 34 in the connecting portions 34 will provide the desired connection between the rod 33 and the intermediate member 34; the rod 33 could, for example, have a flattened longitudinally extending face portion, or could have a pair of opposed longitudinally extending face portions 33 as shown in Fig. 11 but more clearly in Fig. 15.

As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the single laterally extended intermediate clasping member 34 cooperates with the plurality of pairs of clasping members IO and I0 which are mounted on rod 33 for pivotal movements thereon; theears l5 and I5 of the members ID and I 0 embracing the rod 33 in their circular perforations I 6, similarly as in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, to permit free pivotal movement on the rod 33 of non-circular cross-section.

Suitable round washers 39 are mounted on the rod 33 between the pairs of clasping members HP- and III to retain same in desired longitudinally spaced positions On the rod 33 and the outer ends of the rod 33 are preferably provided with snap rings 40 to retain the rod against longitudinal displacement. Y

The device illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive shows three pairs of clasping members but it is obvious that the intermediate member 34 can be readily made in any desired horizontal length to accommodate many more pairs of clasping members and that both of the opposite ends of an elongated intermediate member 34 may be provided with supporting ears 35 for rigid mounte ing of the device between spaced supports.

The device shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive may be conveniently used as a mens necktie support wherein one necktie may be securely clasped between each of the clasping members W and I0 and the intermediate member 34 and each necktie may be conveniently selectively removed without displacing any of the other neckties from the rack.

The device shown in Figs. 9 to 13 may also be used for purposes such as, for example, a rack for displaying merchandise in retail stores or as a drying rack for stockings and lingerie and the pairs of clasping members ID and I0 may be suitably mounted on the rod 33 in desired longitudinally spaced apart positions thereon by employed washers 39 of required length or by manufacturing the rod 33 with suitably spaced transverse notches to receive the retaining snap rings 40 as illustrated in Fig. 15. An example of such spaced pairs of clasping members 3 and 10 mounted in spaced apart positions on the single rod 33, and each clasping member retained on the rod 33 against longitudinal movement thereon by means of a snap ring 40, 14 which shows sisting of a single intermediate clasping member 34 cooperating with two sets of spaced clasping members pivotally' mounted on rod 33; each clasping member being pivotally mounted on rod side thereof and a washer 39 on the oppositeside thereof adjacent to the inner fac'e'of the connection portion 34 and preferably another snap ring 40 on the rod 33 adjacent the outer face of theconnection portion 34 Various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and arrangements shown in the embodiments. of my invention as preferably herein exemplified in the attached drawings without departing from the spirit of my invention defined in the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasping device of the character described comprising a pair of outer clasping members of channel-shaped cross-section having relatively oppositely angularly-bent integral upper arm portionsand plane-aligned lower ends, each outer clasping member having, intermediate its ends, a pair of integral perforated ears, the pair of ears of one of said outer members overlapping the pair of cars of the other one of said outer members to thereby horizontally align the perforations of all of said ears; a pivot member extending through all of said perforations; a pair of laterally aligned article-gripping jaws of U-shaped cross-section having flanges pivotally mounted on pivot pins extending through opposed sides of the lower portions of said outer clasping members and through the opposed flanges of said jaws, said jaws having adjacently disposed opposed article-gripping faces and through their free pivotal adjustment about said pivot pin being adapted to present said article-gripping faces in vertical plane alignment irrespectively of the relative angular positions of said pair of outer clasping members; a third clasping member disposed centrally between said outer clasping members and comprising a pair of vertically spaced flat plates providing an opening between their adjacent ends, the upper one of said plates constituting an operating arm extending beyond the ends of said arm portions of said outer clasping members and the lower one of said plates having article-gripping faces on opposite sides thereof adapted for face engagement by the article-gripping faces of said jaws, said spaced plates being connected together along opposite edges thereof by side pivot plates having horizontally aligned perforations through which said pivot member extends whereby said third clasping member is alternately pivotally oscillatable with either one of said outer clasping members to afford successive insertions of articles for gripping engagement thereby, first, between one article-gripping face of said third clasping member and one of said jaws and thereafter between the opposite gripping face of said third clasping member and the other one of said jaws; and a coil spring disposed within said opening between said spaced plates of said third clasping member through the convolutions of which spring said pivot member extends, the ends of said spring yieldingly exerting pressure against the arm portions of said outor clasping members thereby yieldingly urging said jaws toward the oppositely disposed articlegripping faces of said third clasping member.

2. A clasping device of the character described comprising a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed outer clasping members, each oppositely disposed pair of said members having relatively oppositely angularly bent upper arm portions, each outer clasping member having, intermediate its ends, a pair of perforated ears, the pair of ears of each one of said outer clasping members overlapping the pair of ears of an oppositely disposed one of clasping members to thereby horizontally align the perforations of all of said ears, a pivot rod extending through the perforations of all of said ears; a pair of laterally-aligned articlegripping jaws pivotally mounted on the lower portions of each of said outer clasping members having free pivotal adjustment to present their article-gripping faces in vertical alignment within their range of pivotal movement irrespectively of the relative angular positions of said pair of outer clasping members; an intermediate clasping member disposed between said pairs of outer clasping members and carrying said pivot memher, said intermediate member having an opening intersected by the longitudinal axis of said pivot member; and coil springs wound about said pivot member, disposed within said opening of said intermediate clasping member, and having ends yieldingly exerting pressure against the arm portions of opposed pairs of said outer clasping members thereby yieldingly urging said jaws toward said intermediate member.

3. A clasping device adapted to frictionallyhold a plurality of articles in suspension comprising a plurality of opposed pairs of outer clasping members, a single unitary intermediate clasping member positioned between said pairs of opposed outer members, said pairs of outer members being coaxially oscillatably mounted on a common pivot member carried on said intermediate member, said intermediate member having an opening therein intersected by said pivot member, the lower ends of said outer members being horizontally aligned and each carrying article-engaging means pivotally mounted at the lower ends thereof, and a single spring for each pair of said outer members mounted on said pivot members within the plane of said opening of said intermediate member and having ends in pressureexerting contact with oppositely positioned portions of a pair of said outer members above said pivot member whereby the article-engaging means are yieldingly urged toward said intermediate member.

4. In a spring-actuated article-clasping device comprising a plurality of opposed pairs of horizontally aligned article-clasping members all pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends by a single horizontally disposed pivot member, and a single spring for each pair of opposed clasping members having ends in engagement with said opposed pair of clasping members whereby adjacent lower ends of each pair of opposed clasping members are yieldingly urged toward one another; means providing for independently clasping a plurality of articles by the device and permitting independent removal of same comprising a third member disposed between said opposed pairs of said article-clasping members coaxially pivotally mounted with said pair of members, and movable alternately with either one of said pair of opposed -members and then with the other one of said pair of opposed members.

5. A device adapted to clasp a plurality of articles and frictionally retain same in suspended position therefrom, comprising at least two pair of oppositely disposed article-clasping members, a single rod of non-circular cross-section, means intermediate the ends of said clasping members for pivotally supporting the latter on said rod for independent oscillation thereon, an intermediate member extending between pairs of said opposed clasping members including angularly bent integral portions at opposite ends thereof having aligned perforations of configuration corresponding to the non-circular cross-section of said rod for supporting said rod therein, a single spring for each pair of opposed clasping members carried on said rod and having opposite ends in engagement with opposed clasping members, said intermediate member having a laterally extending opening, said rod extending laterally of and through said opening with its axis within and parallel to the plane of said opening, and said spring having a portion intermediate its ends supported on said rod within the plane of said opening.

6. A clasping device comprising two elongated outer clasping members each having at intermediate points in its long edges ears that overlap corresponding ears on the other of such members, a third, longer, clasping member in the form of a flat plate interposed between said outer members and having at intermediate points in its long edges ears that overlap corresponding ears on the outer members, said third member having therein an opening that extends across the same from ear to ear, a rod extending through all of said ears to secure the clasping members together,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,105,018 Bluhm July 28, 1914 1,876,139 Feldman Sept. 6, 1932 2,226,789 Tupy Dec. 31, 1940 2,408,145 Johnson Sept. 24, 1946 

